Beast in Shining Armor (14 page)

“I
think I just
did
.”  He began moving in unhurried thrusts that left her
seeing stars.  “It took a while, but I’ve finally claimed my prize.”  He smiled,
relishing his victory.  “You can’t get rid of me and you know it.”

Belle’s
body undulated against his, instinctively trying to pull him deeper.  She glowered
at him, her mind and body on two separate paths.  “It’s not going work.”  She
snapped in irritation, even as her fingernails dug into his back.  “You don’t
really want me.  You just think it’s all a game.”

“Certainly
feels
like I want you.”  Avenant nuzzled her temple.  “Feels like you
want me, too.”  His teeth nipped her ear.  “You can’t fight the inevitable, my
love.  You’re mine.”

Belle
hated him.  Absolutely
hated
him.  Except… 
Jesus,
he was good at
this.  Her eyes squeezed shut.  “Harder.”  She needed it just a little harder. 
“You might as well finish this before I kill you.”

Avenant
chuckled at that.  “Christ, how I’ve longed for you.”  His pace increased like
he just couldn’t help himself.

Oh
God
.  Her mouth parted in wonder as he sped up. 
That
was what
she needed to come and he knew it.  That powerful penetration right at her
core.  Her orgasm loomed and it would just make him even smugger.  She tried to
focus, but it was getting more and more difficult.  “Even if I’m your True Love,
I’m
not
‘yours,’ you know.”

Except,
she was.

God
damn
it.

“We’ll
see about that.”  He lifted her other leg, so it was wrapped around him and he
was supporting all of her weight.  “Right now, I have what I want.  Or at
least, I’m getting there fast.”  His perfect face was tight with passion.  “Can
we take the bra off, now?  I need to see more of you.”

“
No
.” 
She panted.  “You’re lucky… I’m not making you… stop altogether.”

“I
knew
you were going to be bitchy about this.”

Belle
gave up arguing for the moment.  It was too hard to concentrate.  Her thighs
tightened on his body, so close now.  “Please, Avenant.”  The words escaped without
her meaning them to.  She’d always known it would be like this between them.

“Tell
me what you need.”  He braced one hand on the wall, somehow achieving an even
deeper angle.  “You want it harder?”  Avenant teased her with one forceful
thrust and Belle gasped.  He liked that reaction.  “I think I was right about
you in the courthouse, Bella.  I don’t think you’re Good, at all.”  He bent his
head to whisper in her ear.  “I think you like it when I do Bad things to your
pretty little body.”

She
almost exploded just from his words.  “Please.”  She moaned, right on the edge.

“I
think you like coming for a beast.  Don’t you?”

She
gave a jerky nod.

“And
you’re all hot and ready for it.”  He sounded sooooo solicitous, but she knew
better.  “You’re just aching for that little push.”  His eyes glinted.  “Ask
nicely and maybe I’ll help you out.”

“Bastard.” 
Her forehead fell to his shoulder.  “Give me the climax and then get smirky.”

“Give
me a reason.”  He sounded strained.  “Why should I let you come when you won’t
even take all your clothes off?”

“Because…” 
She tried to think, but it was hard. 
He
was hard and Bad and it felt so
right.  She gave a languid sigh and forgot what they’d been talking about.

He
shifted, hitting a new spot.  “Give me a reason, Bella.”

She
bit her lower lip and tried not to beg.  “So you can laugh at me?”

“I
swear to God, I won’t laugh.”  He met her eyes.  “Please, my love.”

She
gave up and just went with the truth.  “Because, this is the way I always
imagined it should’ve ended on prom night.  Except, you weren’t being such a
total asshole in my dreams.”  She’d deal with the ramifications of that
admission later.  Right now, it was impossible to care about his gloating.  She
was so
close
.  “God, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve imagined
this.”

Avenant’s
mouth curved.  “Feel free to try.  I want to hear every twisted idea in your
head.”

“I
knew you’d laugh.”

“Believe
me, I’m not laughing.”  He pounded into her, his voice getting desperate. 
“Christ, it’s my fantasy, too, Belle.  That’s why it
had
to be this way
the first time.  I’ve spent years jacking-off to that memory and now I get to
finish it for real.”

His
rough words and the increased friction had her eyes going wide.

“I
knew you were my True Love, even back then.”  He continued relentlessly. 
“You’ve always belonged to me.  If you hadn’t panicked, I would have had you
that night.”  Electric eyes burned into her.  “But, I have you now and I’m
never letting you go.”  He slammed into her, harder than ever before.  “
Never
.”

Belle
exploded.

She
vaguely processed Avenant’s shout of triumph as he found his own release.  It
sounded like the roar of a beast.  Then, all she could do was hold on as waves
of pleasure wracked her.  She clung to him, shaking and sobbing his name.  It
was exactly the way it was supposed to be between True Loves.  Intense and
insane and
incredible.
  How else would it ever feel with Avenant?

When
Belle finally recovered, she was still wrapped in his arms.  He was cradling
her against him and looking more arrogant than he’d ever looked, which was
quite a feat considering the size of his ego.  She slowly raised her eyes to
his, wary of what came next.

…With
good reason.

He
kissed her cheek.  “I win.”  He said simply.

Goddamn
it.

The Beast
didn’t have a
true
royal palate, because he’s nothing but an animal.

I was the
royal baker and Avenant said I was insubordinate, because I refused to only
make chocolate desserts.

After he
fired me, I sat in the corner for weeks, eating pies to console myself.

I’d eaten
two-hundred and sixty of them, when the paramedics found me.

He’s
why I contracted plum poisoning.

Testimony
of Mr. Jack Horner
- The People of the Northlands v. Prince Avenant

His
True Love was curled up beside him, safe and warm.

Avenant
inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of her hair.  He’d longed for this moment
forever.  Belle had spent the night cradled in his arms, like they’d been made
to fit together.  Which they had been.  He’d always known that.  After so many
years of waiting, Belle was finally right where she belonged.  And she wasn’t
getting away.

Inside,
the Beast was satiated, purring contentedly with their prize.  It had been
screaming at Avenant to claim her for longer than either of them could remember. 
At last, Belle was securely in its clutches.  She didn’t want to be his True
Love.  She’d never love him.  She didn’t even like him.  But, short of killing
him –which, granted, was always a possibility-- there was no way she could undo
their connection, now.

He’d
won.

So
why didn’t it feel like it?

Avenant
tightened his hold on Belle, uneasy despite the fact he had what he’d thought
he wanted.  He’d believed that being True Loves would be enough.  He’d tricked
her into having sex with him, because, once he was inside of her, she’d know
the truth.  He’d lied and told her it would only be once.  He’d pushed her
farther than she’d ever go on her own.  He’d completely manipulated her in
order to get his own way.  It had been cheating, but he didn’t care.  It had
worked
.

Except,
it hadn’t.

Belle
still hadn’t surrendered.  Without that, she could just… leave.

She
made a soft sound and he realized he was gripping her too tightly.  Avenant
eased back, but she was already half awake.  Belle shifted in his grasp, her
stunning eyes blinking like she had no idea where she was.  He could see her sleepy
confusion.  Then, she looked up at his face and the most amazing thing happened…

Belle
forgot she hated him.

For
one drowsy moment, she forgot their war and smiled as if seeing him reassured
her.  “Hi.”  Belle murmured, turning towards him.  She cuddled into his
embrace, drifting off again like she instinctively felt safe with him beside
her.

If
Avenant had been standing, it would’ve dropped him to his knees.

He
was beaten.  Christ, he’d been beaten since kindergarten.  It was a good thing
her eyes were closed, otherwise Belle would’ve seen how far gone he was.  How
completely and totally at her mercy.  Avenant would do whatever she asked, if
only she’d stay with him.  He’d hand over his kingdom, his heart, his soul…
anything.

He
had
to make her surrender before she figured that out.

Using
their bond was the best way to accomplish that, so obviously it was his next
move.  Avenant’s hand slipped down, easing between her legs.  Jesus, she was
the softest thing he’d ever felt.  Belle opened to his touch, the liquid warmth
coating his fingers.  She gave a hum of pleasure and Avenant’s mouth curved. 
He’d gotten through eight months in prison fantasizing about that sound.

He
pressed his lips to her temple, guiding her towards release.  Getting her used
to his touch.  She was always responsive and, once True Loves slept together,
the need between them grew even stronger.  It only took a moment to have her
right on the edge.  Belle bit down on her lower lip and Avenant pressed even deeper. 
Belle liked it a little bit hard, which was just fucking adorable.  He squeezed
another finger into her tight channel and felt her body clench.

She
realized what he was doing a second before she came.  Her eyes popped open, but
it was too late to stop the inevitable.  He kept his gaze locked on hers as he
stoked her to completion.

“
Ohhhhh
.” 
It was whimpering moan and then she rippled around his hand.

Before
she had a chance to regain her senses and shove him away, Avenant rolled her on
top of him.  She made a helpless sound that almost sent him over the edge. 
Dazed, she let him position her knees on either side of his hips and thrust
home.  Belle’s mouth parted, her eyes squeezing shut as a second climax tore
through her.

Avenant’s
teeth ground together at the sensation.  The Beast gave a growl of pure lust.  “Ride,
my love.”  He gripped her waist, guiding her up and down.  She was still
shivering from the orgasm, intensifying the sensation.  “That’s the way.”  His
head went back as Belle braced her hands on his chest and found her rhythm. 
Yeah… this wasn’t going to last long.

“Oh
God.”  Belle arched in desire.  Dark hair fell like veil around her pale skin
as she moved.  “
Avenant
.”

Avenant
smiled in wonder at the sound of his name on her lips.  It was beautiful.  She
was beautiful.  He would never, ever get enough of this woman.

His
palms came up to cup her pretty little breasts through the lace of her bra.  He
wanted to see them.  To suck her hard nipples into his mouth.  From the time
he’d figured out girls were different than boys he’d been fascinated with
Belle’s delicate curves.  He tried to unfasten the damn bra, but she swatted
him away.  Not wanting to push his luck, he gave up and let the annoying scrap
of fabric stay in place.  He had so much else to focus on.

Inside
his head, the Beast was fighting for control.

Avenant’s
jaw clenched as Belle rocked against his body, somehow keeping the monster down. 
He wanted this to last forever, but she was so damn
soft
.  Christ, as many
times as he’d dreamed of her, he’d never imagined how
soft
she’d really
feel around him.  It was a miracle he was still conscious.

When
Belle convulsed for a third time, Avenant couldn’t hold on any longer. 
Grasping her hips, he slammed into her as deep as he could go.  Belle cried out
his name again and Avenant erupted.  His eyes nearly crossed as he came long
and hard within her hot depths.  She milked him dry and it was goddamn
beautiful.
 The Beast and Avenant roared at the same instant, two sounds becoming one in
his head.  For one perfect second, he felt… whole

Belle
collapsed onto him, her forehead on his shoulder.  She was struggling for
breath, tremors still traveling through her body and into his.  It was like
touching magic.  Everyone said sex was more meaningful between True Loves, but
he’d never understood it until now.

Still
panting, Avenant buried his face in her hair and kissed the top of her head.  “That’s
why people die for their True Loves.”  He whispered.

“Funny
you should say that, because I’m ready to beat you to death.”  Belle lifted her
head to glare at him.  “You’re like a blond, smug Satan.”  She jerked away from
him and he instantly felt the loss of her warmth.  “I can’t believe this!”  She
grabbed for her clothes and jumped to her feet.  “
Shit
.  I can’t
believe
you did this to me!”

He
stacked his hands behind his head.  “Three times
is
pretty
unbelievable.”

“Shut-up!” 
She tugged her pants on, which was a crime against nature.  “We’re undoing
this, you understand me?  We can go to a wizard and break the True Love bond. 
There’s a whole legal process to dissolve disastrous matchups like this.”

Avenant
made a regretful “tsk” of a sound.  “I don’t think that will work.  I’ve lost
my faith in the legal system, I’m afraid.”

“No,
it’ll work.”  She insisted.  “It’s not complicated.  We just have to sign a
sacred scroll to make all this go away.”

“We’d
both have to
agree
to dissolve the bond, though.”  He reminded her. 
“And historically speaking, when’s the last time we’ve agreed on
anything?
”

Belle
stared at him, realization dawning.

Avenant
slowly smirked.  So did the Beast.

“You’re
not going to sign the scroll, are you?”  She sounded stunned.  “You’re really
not.”

“No.” 
He sat up, keeping his eyes on her.  “I’m really not.”

She
swallowed.  “You want to win so badly that you’d trap us like this?”

He
wanted her so badly that he’d do
anything
.  Anything, at all.  “Evil princes
keep innocent girls trapped all the time.  Don’t you watch the news?  It’s kind
of our thing.  Usually, it’s in a tower or something, but…”

Belle
cut him off.  “I won’t let you get away with this!”

“Get
away with what?”  He shrugged.  “I’m not the one who made us True Loves.  I
haven’t done anything except be happy with the whims of fate.”

She
threw a shoe at him.  “You’re not happy, Avenant!  You don’t even like me!”

“Trust
me.  I’ve spent my morning liking you
a lot
.”

“That’s
just the connection between us.  Sex is always explosive between True Loves. 
Everyone knows that.”  She glowered at him.  “But what about the rest of it?  We
can’t stand each other.  Do you really want to spend the rest of your life bickering
with me?”

God
yes.

Probably
best not to tell her that, though.

Belle
kept going.  “I remember you telling me at prom that you’d pick someone else if
you could.  Well, you
can
.  You can sign the scroll and be done with me
forever.”

Avenant
hesitated, because she had a point.  About the prom thing, anyway.  When she’d
refused to even consider the possibility of being with him, he’d said all kinds
of crazy shit.  The Beast had been going wild and Avenant had been just as out
of control.  His heart had shattered into so many pieces that night that it
still hadn’t healed.

“I
shouldn’t have told you that.  It isn’t true.”  He admitted.  “I will
never
be done with you, Bella.  I will
never
marry another woman.  And you
will
never
talk me into giving up our bond, so you might as well save
your energy.  Accept that we’re True Loves.”  He met her eyes.  “It’s why the
Icen Throne didn’t melt when you usurped me.  You’re my rightful Princess.”

Her
lips pressed together.  “I’m not marrying you.”  She decided.  “We might be
True Loves, but I’m
still
not tied to you.”

“I
know.”  It was why he needed her to surrender.  This would never be settled
until she gave him
everything
.

“I
mean it.”  Belle insisted.  “You were right back at prom.  You should go marry some
vapid princess and I can go be with,” she faltered, searching for a name,
“somebody I’m important to.”  She finished decisively, waving a hand to
encompass the entire world.  “And you have no say in it, because we are
not
bound.”

“Go
ahead.  Date whomever you like.”

That
brought her up short.  “…Really?”

“Absolutely.” 
Avenant reached for his clothes.  “I haven’t killed anyone in weeks.  I miss
the faces people make when their windpipes freeze over.  It’s always good for a
laugh.”

Belle’s
eyes narrowed.  “You wouldn’t dare.”

Avenant
arched a brow.  She knew him better than that.  “No one takes what’s mine.  I
always play gentle with you, but I have limits.  If you touch another man, I will
solidify the blood in his veins.  I promise you.”

“I’m
not
yours!”

“Tell
it to fate, my love.”  Belle’s temper was blazing out of control, so he tried
to think of something that might calm her down.  When she was angry, it was
impossible to predict what she’d do and he liked all his body parts connected. 
“It’s not all Bad news, you know.  I’ve got a castle and some really expensive
horses.  When we get married, community property gives you half.”

She
wasn’t appeased.  “I’m going to find Excalibur.”  Belle said tightly.  “I am
going to claim the kingdom.  And then I’m going to use my power to dissolve the
True Love bond
without
your consent and banish you to Wonderland.”

Avenant
frowned.  Sending him to the WUB Club had been one thing, but Wonderland was a
pit of anarchy and weirdness.  “Let’s not say things we don’t mean, alright?”

“Like
what?  Like I wish a house would fall on your head?  Like I think you deserve
to be pelted with poison apples?  Like a giant should mill your bones to make
his bread?  Because, I mean
all
of that.”

“Do
giants still do their own bone milling?  I think it’s all been outsourced,
now.”

She
heaved her other shoe at him and it collided with his shoulder.  This could’ve
been going better.  Of course, it could’ve been going
worse
, too.  At
least, she hadn’t blackened his eye this time.  When she’d slugged him in that
pool, it had fucking hurt.  The girl packed a wallop.